Manual v's Auto

Chaz is spot on!
Also, I would be interested to see how many PRO manual people out there have actually owned an auto 4wd and taken it into harsh country? I know just about all Auto 4wd owners have had a manual at one time and still swear by the atuo. Just food for thought.
I know I always knocked auto 4wd's till I reluctantly bought one, now I'll never go back, what a bloody difference! And all this feeling in control CRAP, I feel much more in control of my auto than I ever did in my manuals, and before anyone pipes up I don't think that's to do with skill thank you! :-)
Also when in low range (at least in mine) the auto turns into a semi auto anyway. It won't change until it hits red line or you take your foot of the accelerater and put it back on again, it even sounds like a manual gear change. It's also in torque lock that whole time.
Can't beat em.

Everytime I see a manual v auto debate I see the comments about skill or feeling more in control. As far as skill goes then all those with manuals would never fit lockers either if they really beleived it. I understand the comment in relation to improving skill but at what point do you decide that your skill has improved and you can now upgrade to an auto? As for feeling more in control well if you don't feel in control of your vehicle what are you doing behind the wheel. These comments are not directed at anyone in particular but at the responses I have seen to to this question in the past on many forums.

I feel that both have positives and negatives but probably the main benefit of a manual is you get better engine braking for descents but this can be gained in an auto with crawler gears, driving techniques or fitting a manual lock-up of the torque convertor.

This is my biased opinion as I now have an auto and would never go back.

Reminds me of member Nick . I converted his 929 to auto some years ago .. HE TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE AND ALMOST WENT THROUGH THE WINDSCREEN . lol Hit the brake thinking he had to press a clutch lol

Gold story mate! :-)

I could see the look on ya face too as you stood in the driveway watchin him try and go thru the roundabout at your joint.... LMAO

"Puts out more power than a 4.2 six."
"After 12 4wdrives,best combination ever"

Change lures.....

Leroy

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Ooops .......... aficionados.

... :-}

I think auto drivers would be "aficionado's" as well, and you summed it up prety well with your answer, its a personal choice.

Had to look that word up thought you were swearing at me in Italiano. Hey this is a 4WD forum not a chess forum, enough with the big words already. Sorry your right it's a personal choice drive both which ever your comfortable with is the one you go for.

Baz.

When's it being fixed Baz ?

Sorry mid life I responded to the wrong reply.

In shorts skirts.

I agree the auto is easier but somehow it just doesn't seem right to me.
Like the old petrol/diesel debate there's emotion involved.

New rig looks good mate ! go well ?

maybe girls, but our 4wd works :P

I dunno yet Baz. Haven't had it in the bush but I'll be getting out this weekend. With lots of clearance and locked both ends I dare say she'll be a ripper. Lacks power on the open road but that doesn't concern me.
Manual of course :)

It works just not in 4WD, you know what i mean mate !! :0)

When's it being fixed Baz ?

Goes in monday to be fixed transfer case apparently, Ford said it was electrical so not covered under extended warranty took it to auto elec not electrical so down to a 4WD centre and found prob. Sick and tired of getting the run around so FORD GET F@$%*&.

Arhhggg, Why not present Ford with the independent report. If they wont come to the party take em to the small claims tribunal either before or after it's fixed. Yeah I know a lot of pissin around.

Yeh we've thought about this we got the auto elec to put his report in writing and we've asked the guy at the 4WD centre to do the same so it's still a plan we'll see. We're thinking of selling it too if we find a vehicle at the right price so who knows. Manual of course, lol.

Baz.

bout time u got a real car.

So what is the exact issue? Have they told u? What did the 4b shop say it was?

Won't know till he looks at it, he did say it wasn't the chain that drives the front shaft as Ford said it was when we told them it wasn't electrical. Hows the Pathy, find the high low prob ?

Who's pathy, and what's wrong with it?

Been too busy building a new train layout in N scale. 8ftx4ft.. havnig issues finding a plan I like :'(

Yeah I find the low range in the Surf is exceptional but still on very pea gravel steap hills it's neccesary for brakes.
If you use your accelerator and brakes at the same time you'll find it will prevent the wheels locking up and still reduce your speed.

Interesting point about the clutch being a very usful tool, perhaps a torque convertor is not as efficiant but I have found it to be equially usful. I find rocking the car out of a bog easier with an auto, somthing people once told me I would not be able to do. funny the 79 series are manual at the mine sites, but the 250 tonne halpack trucks are autos... ironic.
If your torque convertor overheats, you need an oil cooler or a better technique of driving it. Yeah they use more fuel if you floor them around the city, however you find a more relaxed driving technique normally with an auto and if you look at modern auto fuel economy it is not that much more different to the manual equivilents, not to mention that the modern autos also have higher ratio in the diff allowing them to rev lower when cruising giving you better fuel eceonomy.
Just look at the 100 series V8 Auto, it get's better eceonomy than the DX 4.2 diesel manual when cruising at 100km/h. Food for thought.
Anothe point that has not been brought up is the jutters from corregations causing your foot to "bounce" on the accelerater cuasing damage to your drivetrain in a locked up manual, but not an issue with an auto. With that in mind, there is lesss strain and shock on the whole drive train, motor and passengers with an auto.

Valid points Jeff.

Just my opinion - but I think the biggest thing the modern slushbox has brought to 4wding is accessibility. It has allowed the masses to get in and bludgeon their way through what used to be tricky obstacles. Lets face it - nanna can get into a powerful slusher and scale some scary slopes. Whether this is good or not......

Gary, I have a manual turbo and to get good engine breaking down steep hills I have to turn off the A/C, otherwise the idle up gives it to many revs.

Of course. A manual has a lower diff ratio and no torque converter.

Interesting point about the A/C - Good point!

Gaz

How do you stall an auto?

Yeah that was the point of my response (never did express myself cleary when in a hurry)

Regards

Russell